Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Image-based modelling represents a fast-growing software method within automotive design and R&D. Visualisation, analysis and model generation from 3D image data (such as CT, micro-CT and SEM) enables comprehensive characterisation of components, as well as multiple inspection and file export for simulation tasks. At Simpleware we’ve developed software tools used for extensive analysis of components within the automotive industry, from metrology, reverse engineering and NDE through to human body impact.

Researchers and analysts working in oil and gas can use 3D image data and digital rock physics techniques to characterise rock samples. Using image data from modalities such as micro-CT and FIB-SEM to analyse rock properties can complement experimental testing and enables non-destructive evaluation. Given the complexity of rock image data, it’s important to have an integrated software toolkit for going from scan data through to simulation-ready models – our software at Simpleware has been developed to solve this challenge.

Digital rock physics workflows typically begin with the collection of volume images from scans, with images containing different material phases that can be segmented and used as the basis for analysing grain structure, porous networks and other characteristics. Scanning rock samples at different length scales also means that flow and transport properties can be simulated for very small porous networks.

Homogenisation approximates a complex heterogeneous material with a homogeneous material

Anyone working with 3D image data (such as CT, micro-CT, SEM…) in Materials Science faces the challenge of reconstructing and obtaining useful results from scans. Computing material properties such as solid, flow and electrical properties is a particular challenge, as this often requires a lot of computational resources, or a workflow using multiple software packages.

Generating accurate meshes from 3D image data (such as MRI and CT) for design and simulation tasks can be a challenge, particularly when working with complex geometries like the human body, porous media and industrial parts. It can typically be difficult to create watertight computer files (CAD, CAE, 3D printing) when no CAD files are available, particularly when using complex image datasets. At Simpleware we have developed software techniques that use image-based meshing to ensure the generation of very high-quality surface and volumetric meshes, which can be used for a wide range of design and simulation tasks. These techniques have also been extended to homogenization methods for calculating effective material properties, ensuring a fast, easy and reliable bridge from scan to design and simulation.